Monday, August 8, 2016

Barton Springs: approximately 109 cfs 10-day averageCentral Texas enters August with
none of the area in drought conditions. This is directly the result of the wet
winter and spring of 2015-2016 leading to some near-historic rainfall totals
and high surface-water and groundwater levels. Groundwater levels in the
Edwards and Trinity Aquifers reached their peak elevations in mid-June, and are
now declining with the lack of rain in much of central Texas. The figure illustrates
the rise and fall of aquifer levels in three wells in central Hays County for
2016.

As we enter a typical dry
and hot Texas summer we are seeing the natural hydrologic response to those
changing conditions--dropping water levels. The outlook from the Climate
Prediction Center for the next few weeks calls for above-average temperatures
and lower than average chances of rainfall. We are fortunate to have the high
water-level conditions as we may enter La Niña conditions this fall and winter,
which can result in drier than normal conditions.

Drought Rules

Either Barton Springs OR the Lovelady Well can trigger a drought declaration by the Board. However, BOTH Barton Springs AND the Lovelady Well must be above their respective drought trigger levels to exit a drought declaration.